Automatic playing mechanism in pianos.



No. 860,618. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

. P.-WUEST, JR. AUTOMATIQPLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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- Ffl/A/PWl/[STJ/Z I y% m N0. 860,618. PATENTED JULYIE, 1907;

. P. WUEST, JR. AUTUMATIG PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS. APPLIGATION FILEDJUNE 30. 1905.

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w g r M M w l a Nb. 860,618. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

P. WUEST, JR. v AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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Nm'saomsi PATENTED JULY 1 ,1907.

' P. WUEST,'JR. V

AUTOMATIC PLAYING MEUHANISM'IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4..

wsmtsszs= No. 860,618. PATEN' IED JULY 16, 1907.

' P. WUEs J v AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM INI PIANOS.

- APPLIOATLON FILED JUNE 30. 1905..

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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[WITNESSES INVENTOR:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP WIIEST, JR., CHELTENHAM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEAUTO-MANUAL- PIANO AQTION COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ACQRPORATION O l NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

No. 860,618. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 16, 19.07.

Application filed June 30,1905. Serial No. 267,706.

To. all whom it may concern: ready access thereto. Hence, instead ofleading the 55 Be it known that .I, PHILIP WUEST, .Ir., oiCheltenconduit-s through this region in dispersed relation, so as ham,in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certo pass through orbetween all the digital levers, my tain newiand useful Improvements inAutomatic Playinvention consists in definitely grouping the conduits ingMechanism in Pianos, whereof the following is a and concentrating thepassage region of each group, so specification, reference being had tothe accompanyas to conduct its members through the plane of the G ingdrawings. keyboard with a minimum of interference with indi- Myinvention relates to pianos, organs and similar vidual digital levers.This arrangement is peculiarly instruments comprising automatic playingmechanism advantageous in that it takes advantage of certain nat- IOpermanently adjusted in operative relation with their ural divisions ofthe keyboard ordinarily found in insounding devices; for instance,mechanism of the struments of this class, which afford, without serious65 kind comprising a series of pneumatic motors, or modifications of thenormal arrangement, proper locastrike neumatics respectively inoperative relations for the passage of the several groups.

tion to the individual sounding devices, and, having In the accompanyingdrawings; Figure I,.is a verindividual valve mechanisms controlled by aweb tical sectional view of a piano embodying my improveof perforatedpaper which is progressed with respect"' ments, taken on the line I, I,in Fig. II. Fig. II, is a 7 0 to a pneumatic tracker bar provided with aseries'of front elevation of the piano shown in Fig. I; the frontapertures corresponding with a series of sounding deof the casing beingremoved. Fig. III, is a plan socvices in the instrument. r v tionalview, taken on the line III, III, in Figs. 1, and

One object of my invention is to provide means for II, certain portionsof the mechanism being removed:

automatically operating the pedals of the instrument or shown as brokenaway, in order to exhibit the region 7 5 in proper accord with the musicbeing played and withof the keyboard. Fig. IV, is a plan sectional view,out the interposilionof the operator. taken on the line IV, IV, in Figs.1, and II. Fig. V,

Where the automatic playing mechanism is emis an elevation ofthe lefthand end of the separable bodied in aseparate organization, external tothe instrugroup of valve shelves, shown in the piano in Fig. II.

inent itself, and operated by simulating manual play- Fig. VI, is atransverse sectional view of one of said SO in upon the digitals, thenecessary movements of the valve shelves taken through a strikepneumatic motor pedals can be derived from the striking levers, withandits controlling valve. Fig. VII, is a transverse out occasioning seriousinterference with their action. sectional view of the pneumatic chestshown above the This however, is not the case in the class ofinstrukey-board in Figs. 1, and II, section being taken ments to whichmy invention relates, where the autothrough one set of pneumaticconduits, on the line VII. matie playing mechanism is self-contained andis per- VII, in Fig. II. Fig. VIII, is a fragmentary sectional manentlyin operative relation with the sounding deview of the front of the keyframe, showingone of the vices. In these instruments the conditions aresuch controlling levers of the automatic playing mechanism.

i 35. that the pedal operating devices cannot be directly Fig. IX, is afragmentary plan sectional view, similar combined with the etlicientelementsof the playing toFig. 111, but showing a modified form of myinvenmechanism, without the risk of serious disturbance. tion. Fig. X,is a fragmentary sectional view, similar The digitals however, althoughincidentally moved to Fig. I, but showing the modified form of myinvcnduring the action of the automatic playing devices, are tionindicated in Fig. IX.

'40 not. in themselves active elements and I have found In said drawin sthe )iano casin" com n-iscs the 1 a 2 h r l that by reason of this factthey can be utilized for key frame 2, on which the digitals or keys 3,are supderiving the necessary movements of the pedals, withportedby'tlie balance rail 4. Each of said digilals 3, out interfering withtheproper action of theplayingis provided with an adjustable stud 5,. inopcmlivc mechanism. Hence this feature of my invention relation with anextension rod (5, depending from the 45 consists in combining, with.selected digitals, means jack whip 7, and pivoted to an extension lcvcrb, l'ulwhereby the pedal operating mechanism may be concrumed onthosmall action rail 9, in connection with trolled. V a hammer 10, arrangedto strike thestring II, on the My invention relates to the method ofgroupi'ng the metallic string frame 12; which latter is providedconduits by means of which communication is estabwith the usinil woodenhack supports 13, and sound- ;30 lished between the main divisions ofthe automatic ing board 15. Said casing 1, also com 'n-i'scs the usualmechanism. Such conduits being neccssarilynumerupper lid 17, theremovable front panel 18, inclosing ous, their passagethrough the regionof the key frame the action; the hinged cover 20, for the manual comhasbeen found to seriously affect the strength and staprising the digitnls2'1. and, the removable front panel bility of the adiacent parts andalsoto interfere with 21. int-losing the chamln-r 22, below the key frame 2.

- Said chamber 22, is provided with the floor 23, having -betnrvetai theexhaust bellows and the bass and treble exhaust chambers in therespectively opposite ends of the three separable. valve casings orshelves 36. Said shelves contain the secondary valve mechanisms whichcontrol the strike pneumatic motors 37, as here inafter described.

As shown in Fig. .I, the exhausters 32, are arranged to be operated bythe pumping pedals 39, with which they are connected by the links 40,and brackets 41. Said pedals are supported by pivots 42, on the frame43, which is pivoted on the brackets 45, secured to the casing floor 23,so that said irauie and pedals may be upturned within said casingthrough the doorway indicated by-the dotted line 46, in Figs. I-,-andIV, which may be closed by suitable sliding or folding doors.

Referring to Figs. 1, and II, the music box 47, provided with thetracker bar 48, having the series of apertures 49, is supported by thepneumatic chest 50, containing the primary valve mechanisms having anexhaust chamber 51, connected with the main exhaust bellows 31, by theflexible penumatic conduits 54, and 55, shown in Fig. II. Each of saidprimary valve mechanisms in the chest 50, is connected by an individualconduit 57, with a corresponding aperture 49, in said tracker bar 48,and, each of said valve mech-- anisms is also connected by an individualconduit 60, with a corresponding secondary valve mechanism in --one ofthe three valve casings or shelves 36. In order to minimize theinterference of saidconduits 60, with the movable members of -themechanism, I dispose the digitals 3, in four groups, so as to affordthree spaces call for any substantial rearrangement thereof.

.63, between them in which I secure the three duct blocks 61, in rigidrelation with the key frame 2. Each of said conduits 60, makesconnection above and below the key frame 2, and digitals 3, throughitsindividual duct 66, in one of said duct blocks, each duct beingprovided at top and bottom with. a projecting metallic nipple (37, toengage the end of the conduit.

h It will be noticed that the locations selected for the duct blocks arein a natural relation to normal subdi-- visions of the digital elements,and therefore do not Furthermore, inasmuch as the conduits relating'toeach block are readily removable both above and below thekeyboard bydetaching them from their respective metallic nipples, complete accessat the regions of the groups themselves can be afforded by suchdetachment, when necessary, the intervening portions of the interiorbeing at all times readily accessible by reason of the definitelylocalizedarrangement of the conduits at the region of passage throughthe key frame and ad'- jacent parts.

The valve casings or shelves 36, are conveniently supported, inseparable relation, in the two brackets 68, which depend from the lowerside of the key frame 2, to which they are secured. As shown in Fig. Vsaid shelves are attached to said brackets at their rear ends by the screws 69, and are upheld at their front edges by the bolts 70, and plates71. Said bolts 70, may be unscrewed from said brackets 68, when it isdesired to remove any one of said shelves.

Each valve casing or shelf 36, is constructed as shown in Fig, VI, andcomprises a bottom board 72, having a wind port 74, and a spacing block75, fixed tosaid board 72, a removable top cover board 78, and aremovable. front cover board 80. It is to be understood that each ofsaid shelves comprises a series oi individual secondary valvemechanisms, only one oi which is shown in Fig, VI, and that eachmechanism is provided with a diaphragm seat 82, in said bottom board 72,in registry with a valve chamber 83, in the top cover board 78, and thatthe vacuum chamber 84, is common to all ofsaid diaphragm seats 82, incommunication through the wind ports 74, conduits 85, valve boxes 34,and35, and chest 28, with the exhaust bellows 31, so as to maintain apartial vacuum in said chamber 8 1.

Each valve mechanism aforesaid controls an individual strike pneumaticmotor 37, which is removably secured upon the b'ottom of said, board 72,in connection with the duct 86,- extending through said board 72, andtop cover board 78, into the valve chamber'83, and the free leaf 89, ofsaid bellows motor 37, is pro? vided with the vertical rod 88, whoseupper end exteuds'through the bracket 87, on the corresponding digital3, and is provided below said bracket with the collar 90, adapted tostrike said bracket when said motor is collapsed, and thereby operatesaid digital.

Countersunk recesses 91, and 92, are respectively provided at the topand bottom of said boards 7 2, and 78, respectively in registry withsaid chamber 83, to re ceive the valve seat plates 94, and 95, which aresocured therein. Said plates are respectively provided with centralvalve ports 96, and 97, and offset bearing lugs, 98, and 99, in whichlugs the opposite ends of the valve stem 100, are arranged toreciprocate. Said valve stem 100, carries two valves 101,-, and 102,respectively in operative relation to said ports 96, and 97, andarranged to alternately seat against the annular plane portions of saidplates 94, and 95, surrounding said ports, and the lower end of saidvalve stem 100, is opposed to the disk 105, upon the diaphragm 106,whichlatter is mounted over the seat 82, in operative relation to saidvalve stem, .Said diaphragm seat 82, is in communication with theconduit 60, through the duct 107, and the latter is provided with thebranch 1 08, terminating in a small aperture 110, opening into thevacuum chamber.84. Said "\conduit 60, being directly controlled by thecorresponding primary pneumatiovalve in the chest 50, the secondaryvalve .mechsnism aforesaid may be operated in the usual manner to causethe strike pneumatic beumwsa to be collapsed to operate the soundingdevices, through the connections above described,--when the correspond-;ing tracker bar aperture 49, 'is opened, and to permit.

As shown in Fig. VII, said valve chest 50, comprises the front board112, bottom board 113, top board 114, and backboard 115,'and, thepneumatic conduits 57, which lead from the tracker bar 48, connect withthe conduits 1 17, extending through said front board 112, and bottomboard 113, to the seats 118, for the diaphragms 119. Each diaphragm 119,is in operative relation with a valve stem 120, having valves 1.21, and123, at its opposite ends controlling the port 125, which extends fromthe vacuum chamber 51, through said top board 114, to the outeratmosphere, and has the branch conduit 126, extending through said topboard 114, and backboard 115, in communication with the flexible conduit60, leading to the secondary valve mechanisms above described. Saidchest 50, supports the wind motor 128, which is provided with a suitableflexible pneumatic conduit 129, leading to the main chest 28, throughthe-wind trunk 130, and

conduit 132,115; shown in Fig. IV. Said motor is connected with the baseboard 133, on said chest 50, by the standard 134, to which it is hingedat 135. Said motor is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig.I, by the latch 137, which is pivoted at 138, but upon turning saidlatch said motor may be folded downwardly and outwardly to afford accessto the strings 11, and tuning pins which extend behind it.

The wheel 140, on the crank shaft 141, of said motor is connected by theband 142, with the wheel 143, on the reciprocatory shaft 145, carryingthe pinion 146,

which latter according to the position of said shaft is adapted toengage or disengage the gear wheel 147, upon the shaft 148, of thetakeup roller 150, which lat ter is mounted to rotate in the music box47. The position of said reciprocatory shaft 145, is determined by theslide rod 152, whose end 153, is in operative relation with the verticalreciprocatory wedge 154, which when lifted shifts said rod toward theright in Fig. II, against the tension of the spring 156, which serves toreturn said shaft 145, to the normal position shown in Fig. II, whensaid wedge is lowered. Said wedge 154, is oporatively' connected withthe manual lever 160, pivoted at 161, on the key frame 2, by the rod162, rock shaft 163, and link 164; said rock shaft being supported inhorizontal position in the suitable bearings 165, on the key frame 2, asshown in Fig. III. Said main chest 28, is provided with brackets 167, atits oppositeextremitiesriiarough which extends the rod 168, providedintermediate of. its length with the foot pedal 109, between the loudpedal 170, and the soft pedal 172, projecting at the front of thecasing, as

shown in Fig. IV. Said loud pedal 170, is provided with a tubular shaft174, having the lever arn1175,

whose free rearwardly extending end is provided with the groove 170, toreceive me lever 1'37,- projecting from the rock shaft 170, wlnrseopposite ends are n1ounted in bearing blocks 180, on said floor-28. Saidrock shaft 179, is provided at its left hand end with the lever- 181,shown in Fig. IV, connected by the pitman 182, having the laterallyprojecting head 183, which conmeets in the usual manner with the damperrail 186. so that when said loud pedal 170, is depressed at the front ofthe piano casing said pitinan 182, is uplifted, said damper rail 186, istilted, and the damper heads 185, mounted on the action rail areseparated from the strings 11, to permit the latter to vibrate freelyand produce a louder tone. Saidlcver 181, is provided at its freeeictremity with the flexible connector 187.

said pedal 172, is depressed at the frontof the casing,

said hammer rest is upraised by the pitman 193, to

(which conveniently consists of a spiral spring covered bring thehammers 10, nearer to the strings 11, and p a cause them to strike aless effective blow.

The communication between the basspneumatic valve mechanisms and theexhausters is controlled by the lever 196, shown in Fig. 111, pivoted at197, and

extending horizontally beneath the digitals 3. Said lever 196, isprovided intermediate of its length with the link'198, connected withthe rock shaft 200, supported by the bearings 201, at the left hand endof the key frame as shown in Figs. 11, and III. Said rock shaft 200, isconnected by the vertically pendant link 202, with the slide rod 203,journaled in the bearings 204, on the chest 28, and having the arm 205,operatively connected with the stem 206, of the valve arranged toregulate thearea of the opening leading to the pipe 85. Said slide rod203, is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 11, by thespring 208, whose lower end is secured to the lower bearing bracket 204,and whose upper end is connected with said link 202.

Communication between the treble pneumatic valve mechanisms and theexhausters is controlled by the lever 210, shown in Fig, 111, 'pivotedat 211, and extending horizontally beneath the digitals-3. Said lever isprovided intermediate of its length with the link 213, connected withthe rock shaft214, supported by the bearings 215, at the right hand endof the he) frame 2, as shown in Figs. 11, and Ill. Said rock shaft 214,is connected by the vertically pendant link is connected by thc link225, with the slide rod 220, whose lower end is operatively condiate ofits length with the link 230,. connected with the rock shaft 231,supported'by'the bearings 215, at the right hand end of the keyframe.2,.as 'shownin,

Figs. II. and III, said rock shaft 23], is connected. by

the vertically pendant link 232, with the stem 233, of i the valvearranged to regulate the areaof the opening Ihrongh which communicationis established between The above described inovcment of the damper rail'lSti. cl'l'cct ed by the depression oi the loud" pedal 170,

may also be manually effected bythe lever 235, shown the rock shalt1238, supported by the bearings 239, at

thclel't hand end of the casing l., as shown in Figs. II, and III. Saidrock shaft- 238, is connected by the verticall petulant link 240, withthe pitman 182, arranged to operate said damper rail 186, as abovedescribed, the arrangement being such that by movement of said lever2535, toward the right hand side of Fig. III, said pitman 182, isuplifted andthe strings ll, freed from the'damping devices 185. i V

During theinanipulation oi the. damper rail 186, by either the loudpedal 170, or the manually operative lever 235 as above described, thepedal motor bellows 189 is idly distended or collapsed in accordancewith the position of the pitman 182. However, said pit-man may bepositively actuated by said motor bellows 189, when the latter ispneumatically collapsed by the establishmentof communication between itsinterior and the main exhaust chest 28, through the'conduit 2 46, which,as indicated at left hand side of Fig. II, ex-

tends .l'rom the valve box 247, of said motor 189, to

the cndoi said chest. I,

It is to.be understood that said pedal motor bellows l89, is arranged tobe controlled by valve mechanism similargto that ,whiclrcontrols thestrike pneumatics 37, as shown in Fig. VI. That is to say the valve box247 icontain's an exhaust chamber equivalent to the exhaust chamber 84,shownin FigyvL and in communication with the main exhaust chest throughthe conduit 246. Said' motor bellows 189, is normally excluded fromcommunication with said exhaust chamber andin communication with theouter atmosphere by a' double valve similar to that shown in Fig. VI,and controlled by a diaphragm similar to the diaphragm 106, in a seatLinWlliCli air may be admitted through the conduit 248, and when air isthusadmittcd beneath said diaphragm, the latter is shifted to operatethe valve to establish communication from the exhaust conduit 246, tothe ,intcrior of the bellows 189, and contemporaneously close the ventfrom said bellows to the atmosphere, so as to ellect the collapse oisaid bellows.

Air may be admitted to said conduit 2 18, automatically at sttch timesto effect the operation of the loud pedal 170, in proper accord with themusic being played, and without the interposition of theoperator byadevice of the kind claimed in Letters Patent of the United States744,990, granted to me under date 01' November Zfltll, 1903, and whichcomprises the oscillalory valve 250,. shown in Figs. I, and III whichnormally (ll ses the port 25] at the termination of theconduit 248, butwhich is uplifted .by the bail lever 252, when the latter is operated byany one ol' the series of digitals 'whoso respective jack whips 7,common to said bail lever 252', have pins 253, extending in operativeengagement therewith, as shown in Fig. I. During the automatic controlof said motor 189, a

last above described, communication between the opposite ends of saidconduit 248, is established through the valve block255, provided withthe slide valve 256,

but when it is desired to free said motor-189, from such automaticcontrol, said slide valve'is' shifted, such movemcntcf the slide valvebeing conveniently el'l'ected by the lover 257, shown in Fig.III,pivoted at 258, and extending horizontally beneath the digitals 3;

said lever being provided intermediate of its length with-the link 259,connected with said slide valve 256.

The five levers by which the automatic playing mechanism may becontrolled as above described, project in iront: ot" the digitals 3, asshown in Fig. III, in the recess 261, in the key slip 262, and aresupported to oscillate in the angle bearing plates 263, secured on thekey frame 2, as shown in Figs. III and VIII.

Although in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1, III, etc., theautomatic pedal controllingdevice 252, etc., is operatively connectedwith the piano hammer action, it is to be understood that it may bedirectly cpnnected with the digitals. For instance, in the modified formof my invention shown in Figs. IX, and X, the left hand space 63,between the adjoining groups of digitals 3, is utilized to admit thesupporting block 266, forthe bridge 267, whose opposite end is supportedby the block 268, resting on the key frame 2 which bridge is providedwith brackets 269, in which the pedal operating bail lever 270, ismounted to oscillate. Said lever 270, has the member 272, extending inoperative relation with the ends of'the digitals 3, at the rear of thebalance rail 4, and is in operative relation with the valve 273, whichis constructed and operated like the valve 250, shownin Figs. I, II, andIII. I I

It is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to theprecise details of construction and arrangement herein set'forth, asvarious modifications may be made therein without departing from theessential features of my invention. .-Iclaim: f

1. In a mechanical instrument, the combiiiation with a casing; ofsounding devices in said casing; a key frame; digitals or keys supportedon said key frame, adapted to operate said sounding devices; automaticplaying mechanism in said casingiu operative relation withsaid soundingdevices, comprising strike pneumatic motors and valves controlling thesaute; a tracker bar in operative relation lng device; and means withinsaid casing, operntively connecting said forte device with a selecteddigital or key above mentioned! 2. In a musical instrument, thecombination with a casing; of sounding devices in said cuslngf a keyframe;

digitals or'keys supported on said key frame, adapted to operate saidsounding devices; automatic playing mecham.

ism in said casing in operative relation with said sounding devices,comprising strike'pneumatic motors and valves controlling the same; atracker bar in operative relation with said valve mechunlsmya fortedevice arranged to vary the effect-of saidplaying mechanism on saidsounding devices; a pneumatic motor arranged to operate said fortedevice; and means connecting said forte device'mot'or' in operativerelation with said dlgitals or keys.

in said casing in operative relation with said sounding de vices;pneumatic conduits for controlling said automatic playing mechanism;a.connection block extending between adjoining members of said series ofdigitals, comprising a plurality of ducts; and, a plurality of pneumaticconduits trolling the same; a tracker bar in operative relation withsaid valve mechanisms; conduits connecting said motors and valves; and,a connection block extending between adjoining members of the series ofdigitals and comprising ducts in communication with said conduits,substantially as set forth.

valves; and, a'connection block secured .between adjoining 5. In amusical instrument, the combination with a casing; of sounding devicesin said casing; a key frame; digitals supported on said key frame inoperative relation with' said sounding devices; automatic playingmechanism in said casing in operative relation with said soundingdevices, comprising strike pneumatic motors, and valves con trolling thesame; conduits connecting said motors and members of the series ofdigitals, in stationary relation with and supported by said key frame,comprising a plurality of parallel vertically extending ductscommunicating with said conduits above and below said block,substantially as set forth. I

G. In a musical instrument, the combination with a casing; of sounding,devices in said casing; a key frame; digitals supported by said keyframe, comprising adjoining groups disposed in divergent positions inoperative relation with said soundingdevices; automatic playingmechanism. in said casing, in operative relation with said soundingdevices; pneumatic conduits for controlling said automatic playingmechanism; a connection block secured iietween adjoining members of saiddigitals in stationary relation with the key frame comprising aplurality ot ducts; and, a plurality of pneumatic conduits connectedwith said playing mechanism through the ducts in said connection blocks,substantially as set forth.

7. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a plurality offlexible pneumatic conduits; a key frame; connection block mounted uponthe key frame, said iiiock having a plurality of ducts having nipplesabove and below the block, and adapted to removably connect with theends of the conduits when arranged in definitely 0rganized groups,substantially as set forth.

; In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, I atPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, this 28th day of June 1905.

PHILIP \VUESl, JR. Witnesses:

CLIFTON C. HALLOWELL, An'rnuu E. PAIGE.

